Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law Test (Degree / Professional Grades) (CRE and BLT) Frequently Asked Questions About CRE results Q1 : How are the CRE results classified?

A1 : Candidates results in the Use of English (UE) and Use of Chinese (UC) papers are

classified as Level 2, Level 1 or Fail, with Level 2 being the highest. Results in the Aptitude Test (AT) paper are classified as Pass or Fail. Level 2 and Level 1 results of the two language papers and Pass result of the AT paper are of permanent validity.

Q2 : What are the required levels of results in the two language papers for the application of different civil service posts at degree or professional level?

A2 : As a general requirement in language proficiency, applicants for civil service posts at degree or professional level are required to obtain either Level 2 or Level 1 in the UE and UC papers in the CRE. Such requirement will be stipulated by individualrecruiting grades / departments in the relevant recruitment advertisements. Applicants with Level 2 in the UE and UC papers will be considered as meeting the languageproficiency requirements of all degree or professional grades.

Q3 : If I intend to join the disciplined services grades, do I need to take the CRE?

A3 : Some disciplined services grades, such as Police Inspector, offer different entry pay points to candidates according to their academic qualifications. Degree holders without the requisite CRE results may apply for these posts but will not be eligible for obtaining the pay points for degree entry. Therefore, it is advisable for degree holders who wish to join these grades to take the CRE.

Q4 : I have Level 2 or Level 1 in the UE and UC papers only. Is it a must for me to take the AT paper?

A4 : Certain civil service posts at degree or professional level require Level 2 or Level 1 in the UE and UC papers only. If you wish to apply for civil service posts that also require a Pass in the AT paper, you will need to take the AT paper.

Q5 : Is it a must to take all three papers in the coming CRE if I have just failed one or two of the papers? Will you accept valid results in the three papers obtained from different CREs?

A5 : Results are issued for individual papers. You may therefore choose to take only one or any combination of papers which you have failed to attain the requisite results of particular civil service posts. For the purpose of applying for civil service posts, results obtained from different CREs can be taken together as long as the results are all valid at the time of the job application. (Please also see Q&A 12)

About HKALE, GCE A Level and IELTS results Q6 : I have passed the Use of English in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination

(HKALE) (or English Language in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) (GCE A Level)) and / or Chinese Language and Culture in the HKALE. Will I be exempted from the CRE?

A6 : Grade C or above in Use of English of the HKALE or in English Language of the GCE A Level is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. Grade C or above in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature of the HKALE is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UC paper of the CRE. If you have the above result(s), you need not, and will not be arranged to, take the UE and / or UC paper(s). Grade D in Use of English of the HKALE or in English Language of the GCE A Levelis accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UE paper of the CRE. Grade D in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature of the HKALE is accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UC paper of the CRE. If you have the above result(s), you may wish to take this into account in deciding whether you need to take the UE and / or UC paper(s) having regard to the requirements of civil service post(s) in which you are interested.

Q7 : (Follow up question to A6) I have Grade C or above in the said subjects in the HKALE /GCE A Level. Do I still need to take the two language papers of the CRE?

A7 : If you have Grade C or above in Use of English of the HKALE or in English Language of the GCE A Level, and Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature of the HKALE, you will be considered as meeting the general language proficiency requirements of all degree or professional grades. Thus, you need not, and will NOT be arranged, to take the UE and UC papers of the CRE.

Q8 : (Follow up question to A7) I only have Grade D in the said subjects in HKALE / GCE A Level. Does it mean that I still have to take the two language papers of the CRE to obtain Level 2?

A8 : As a general requirement in language proficiency, applicants for civil service posts at degree or professional level are required to obtain either Level 2 or Level 1 in the UE and UC papers in the CRE as required by individual recruiting grades / departments. You may wish to refer to the requirements of civil service post(s) in which you are interested to decide whether you need to take the UE and / or UC paper(s).

Q9 : I have taken the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Will I be exempted from the CRE?

A9 : An overall band score of 6.5 or above with no subtest score below band 6 obtained in the same sitting in the Academic Module of the IELTS within the 2-year validity period of the test is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. If you have the above results, and are certain that the relevant IELTS results will still be valid at the time of the job application, you may consider whether to take the UE paper in the CRE.

Q10 : I have valid IELTS results as mentioned in A9. Can I still take the UE paper of the

CRE?

A10 : You can still take the UE paper of the CRE even though you have valid IELTS results.

Q11 : Will you accept a combination of IELTS results obtained from different sittings as an equivalent to the results of the UE paper of the CRE?

A11 : No, we only accept IELTS results in the overall band and subtests obtained in the same sitting.

Q12 : Will you accept a combination of results obtained from CRE, HKALE, GCE A Level and IELTS?

A12 : For meeting the general language proficiency requirements of degree or professional grades, a combination of results obtained from CRE, HKALE, GCE A Level and IELTS will be accepted, provided that all the results are valid at the time of the job application. Relevant results obtained in different CRE / HKALE / GCE A Level sittings will be accepted (e.g. a Pass in AT paper obtained in the CRE held in December 2006, Level 2 obtained in the UE paper of the CRE in June 2007 and Grade C in the Chinese Language and Culture of the HKALE in 2001). As for IELTS, only results obtained in the same sitting will be accepted.

Q13 : Apart from the results of HKALE, GCE A Level and IELTS, are there any public examination results being accepted as equivalent to CRE results?

A13 : At present, only the relevant results of HKALE, GCE A Level and IELTS are accepted as equivalent to CRE results.

About BLT results Q14 : Is there a passing mark for the BLT? What can I do if I cannot attain a good result in

the BLT which is of permanent validity?

A14 : The BLT result will not affect a candidates eligibility for applying for a civil service job. It will be one of the considerations to assess the suitability of a candidate. There is no passing mark set for the BLT and the full mark of the paper is 100. Candidates may choose to take the BLT again when applications for the next round of BLT are called.

Q15 : I am not a degree holder and wish to apply for non-degree / non-professional civil service posts. Can I apply for the BLT?

A15 : Applicants for the BLT should be holders of degree or professional qualifications. Applicants for non-degree / non-professional grades will be tested on their knowledge of the Basic Law (BL) through written test / oral questions during the recruitment process. The arrangements for BL assessment to be conducted by individual recruiting grades / departments are set out in the relevant recruitment advertisements. You may also visit the CSB homepage for details about the BL assessment.

Q16 :

Is it a must for me to take the BLT before I apply for civil service posts at degree / professional level?

A16 : The knowledge of the BL will not be a prerequisite for application to a civil service job, but will be one of the considerations to assess the suitability of a candidate. Before applying for civil service posts at degree / professional level, candidates should have taken the BLT.

About eligibility Q17 : Who can apply for the coming CRE and BLT?

A17 : Applicants for the coming CRE and BLT should be

holders of degree (not including Associate Degree); university students who will have attained a degree in the 2011-12 academic year; or holders of a qualification meeting the entry requirement on professional qualifications

required for civil service degree or professional posts. (Please also see Q&A 18)

Q18 : I possess a professional qualification but not a degree. Can I apply to sit the CRE and BLT?

A18 : Non-degree holders may only apply to sit the CRE and BLT if they are eligible to apply for any of the civil service degree or professional posts with the professional qualification they possess. For example, if you have a diploma in Landscape Architecture, you may apply for sitting the CRE and BLT even if you do not possess a degree since the said diploma qualification is accepted for applying for the Assistant Landscape Architect post. However, if you have registered as registered social worker under the Social Workers Registration Ordinance but do not possess a degree, you are NOT eligible for sitting the CRE and BLT since the entry requirements for the Social Worker post include both a professional qualification and a relevant degree. Before submitting an application for the coming CRE and BLT, you are required to check from the CSB homepage and / or with the recruiting grades / departmentsconcerned to confirm whether the qualification that you are holding is accepted for appointment to the relevant civil service degree / professional post(s). The list of civil service degree or professional grades is posted on the CSB homepage. You may also contact the Civil Service Examinations Unit by phone at 2537 6429, by e-mail to csbcseu@csb.gov.hk, or by post to Room 707, 7/F, Main Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong to get the relevant details.

Q19 : I am expected to get the bachelors degree within 2012. Can I apply to sit the coming CRE and BLT?

A19 : Persons who will have attained a degree in the 2011-12 academic year may apply to sit the coming CRE and BLT. Applicants who have queries about whether the timing of their attaining the degree qualification would fall within the 2011-12 academic year should first confirm this with the tertiary institution that they are attending.

About the application procedure Q20 : Do I need to submit the application form in person to the Civil Service Examinations

Unit?

A20 : No. You can apply through the on-line application system or submit your application by hand to the collection box located at G/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 11 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong before 5:00 p.m. on 18 August 2011 (Hong Kong Time). Alternatively, you may send the application form by post to the Civil Service Examinations Unit at Room 707, 7/F, Main Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong (date of postmark on or before 18 August 2011).

Q21 : Can I submit the application form by fax or e-mail?

A21 : No. Applications submitted by fax or e-mail will NOT be processed.

Q22 : I am studying / residing outside Hong Kong. Will the coming CRE and BLT be held outside Hong Kong?

A22 : The coming CRE and BLT will be held on 8 and 15 October 2011 in Hong Kong. For the convenience of those studying or residing outside Hong Kong, the examination will also be held on 10 December 2011 in seven other cities, namely Beijing, London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney. The current call for applications is only for persons who choose to sit the CRE and BLTin October 2011 in Hong Kong. Applications for taking the examination in December 2011 outside Hong Kong will be called from 12 to 26 September 2011.

Q23 : Can I now apply to sit the examination in Hong Kong and apply again in September to sit the examination outside Hong Kong?

A23 : No. Applicants may only apply to sit the examination either in Hong Kong OR in one of the cities outside Hong Kong. Persons applying to sit the examination in Hong Kong will NOT be allowed to apply again for sitting the examination outside Hong Kong.

Q24 : I am studying / residing overseas but planning to return to Hong Kong in / before October 2011. Can I apply to sit the coming CRE and BLT in October in Hong Kong? If I change my mind after I have applied for taking the examination in Hong Kong, will I be allowed to take the examination in December outside Hong Kong?

A24 : You may apply to sit the coming CRE and BLT in October in Hong Kong during the application period from 5 to 18 August. If you wish to change to sit the examination in December outside Hong Kong after submitting an application for taking the examination in October in Hong Kong, you are required to submit a written request to the Civil Service Examinations Unit before 5:00p.m. (Hong Kong time) on 26 September 2011. Any request made after the said deadline will NOT be considered.

Q25 : I need to take the CRE paper(s). Can I also apply to take the BLT paper?

A25 : Yes. Applicants may choose to take any of the CRE papers and / or the BLT paper in the coming examination.

Q26 : I already possess the requisite CRE results. Can I choose to take the BLT paper only?

A26 : Yes. Persons who already possess the requisite CRE or equivalent results may apply to take the BLT paper only in the coming examination.

CRE in connection with the application for the post(s) of Administrative Officer (AO), Executive Officer II (EOII), Assistant Labour Officer II (ALOII)and / or Assistant Trade Officer II (ATOII) Q27 : It has been announced that there will be another round of recruitment exercise for AO,

EOII, ALOII and ATOII in September 2011. If I intend to apply for the post(s) of AO / EOII / ALOII / ATOII, do I have to apply for the coming CRE and BLT?

A27 : Applicants for the AO, EOII, ALOII and / or ATOII post(s) will NOT automatically be arranged to sit the coming CRE and BLT. Persons interested in applying for the AO, EOII, ALOII and / or ATOII post(s) but do not possess the requisite CRE and / or BLT results MUST file a separate application for the coming CRE and BLT now if they want to sit the examination in Hong Kong, or apply during the period from 12 to 26September 2011 if they want to sit the examination outside Hong Kong.

About the on-line application system Q28 : What are the system requirements for the on-line application system?

A28 : The on-line application system was tested for the following combinations of operating

systems and browsers

Browsers

Operating systems

Microsoft Windows

2000

Microsoft Windows

XP

Microsoft Windows

Vista

Microsoft

Windows 7

Mac OS X Linux

Microsoft Internet

Explorer 6Yes Yes Not applicable

Not applicabl

e

Not applicable

Not applicable

Microsoft Internet

Explorer 7

Not applicable Yes Yes

Not applicabl

e

Not applicable

Not applicable

Microsoft Internet

Explorer 8

Not applicable Yes Yes Yes

Not applicable

Not applicable

Mozilla Firefox 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Mozilla Firefox 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

For Firefox users: The on-line application system makes use of server certificates issued by Hongkong Post for protecting data during network transmission. Firefox does not have the Root Certification Authority (CA) Certificates of Hongkong Post by default. You have to configure the browser of your computer to recognise the certificates issued by Hongkong Post. (Please also see Q&A 29)

Q29 : Warning message Website Certified by an Unknown Authority or Secure Connection Failed popped up on the Firefox browser of my computer when I used the on-line application system. What should I do?

A29 : You should follow the steps below to download and install the Hongkong Post Root CA Certificates: 1. Click on the link for Hongkong Post e-Cert CA1 as highlighted below. 2. a) For Internet Explorer users:

Click Open, Install Certificate and then click Next two times to install the Hongkong Post root certificate. b) For Firefox users: Tick the checkbox Trust this CA to identify websites and click OK.

3. Click on the link for Hongkong Post Root CA1 as highlighted below and repeat step 2.

General Q30 : Where can I get past papers of the CRE / BLT for reference?

A30 : CRE and BLT papers are not published. Sample questions of the CRE and BLT papers

are available on the CSB homepage.

Q31 : What is the syllabus for the CRE?

A31 : There is no prescribed syllabus for the CRE. The UE and UC papers assess candidateslanguage proficiency whereas the AT paper assesses their reasoning abilities. The examination format and sample questions can be found on the CSB homepage.

Q32 : What is the syllabus for the BLT?

A32 : The scope of the BLT will be based on the text of the BL (which includes all its annexes, attachments and appendices). Relevant reference materials can be found in the Basic Law homepage. The examination format and sample questions can be found on the CSB homepage.

Q33 : If I want to amend my personal particulars, what can I do?

A33 : If you want to amend your personal particulars, such as your name, identity document number and correspondence address, etc, you may write to Senior Executive Officer (Examinations)2 of the Civil Service Examinations Unit at Room 707, 7/F, Main Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong, or by e-mail to : csbcseu@csb.gov.hk, giving your name in English and HKID / Passport No.

Q34 : Will a fee be charged for the CRE / BLT?

A34 : There is no application fee for the CRE and BLT.

About result notification and job application Q35 : When and how will I receive the results of the CRE and BLT?

A35 : Result notifications will be sent by post to candidates within one month after the

examination.

Q36 : What should I do if I want to have a review on my CRE / BLT result(s)?

A36 : Your request should be made in writing and sent by post / by hand to the Civil Service Examinations Unit at Room 707, 7/F, Main Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong, or by e-mail to : csbcseu@csb.gov.hk within two weeks from the date of the result notification. Late submissions will NOT be entertained.

Q37 : If I obtain Level 2 or Level 1 in the UE and UC papers and a Pass in the AT paper of the CRE, will I be qualified for applying for civil service posts? When and how can I apply for these posts?

A37 : Individual recruiting grades / departments will stipulate in the relevant recruitment advertisements their CRE requirements. As the CRE is held independently of the recruitment process for any civil service post, you should apply to the recruiting grades / departments direct in response to recruitment advertisements published in newspapers and on the CSB homepage. Vetting of academic and / or professional qualifications will be carried out by the recruiting grades / departments which may also conduct separate examinations / interviews in addition to the CRE.

Q38 : Do I need to retain the letter of CRE results?

A38 : You must retain the letter, which is a proof of your attainment in obtaining the requisite CRE results when you apply for civil service posts at degree or professional level.

Q39 : Do I need to retain the letter of BLT result?

A39 : You must retain the letter of BLT result. It is a proof of your BLT result and you are required to present the original copy to the recruiting grades / departments when attending recruitment interview.

Q40 : I have lost the letter of CRE / BLT results. Can I get another copy?

A40. You may make a request in writing which may be sent by post to the Civil Service Examinations Unit at Room 707, 7/F, Main Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong, or by e-mail to : csbcseu@csb.gov.hk.

Q41 : Can I use the CRE results to apply for jobs outside the civil service?

A41 : The CRE is a threshold examination for the appointment of civil service degree or professional posts. It is not a general academic qualification.

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